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Aerial course gives new view of nature

Ben Benton , Chattanooga Times Free Press
12:27 a.m. CDT June 8, 2014

Chris Lowney makes his way in-between platforms while putting the final touches on one of the routes as construction continues on the new ZIPStream Aerial Adventure at Fall Creek Falls State Park.(Photo: Dan Henry/Chattanooga Times Free Press)

PIKEVILLE, Tenn. — Starting this summer, Fall Creek Falls State Park will be the setting for a Spider-Man-like experience of nature from above with the opening of an aerial adventure park.

ArborTrek Canopy Adventures and The Adventure Guild LLC are in the final stages of creating the park — a 2 1/2-hour self-guided tour that allows visitors to explore the hardwoods overlooking Fall Creek Falls Lake at their own pace through six courses and up to 70 elements, graded from easy to extreme.

Michael Smith, president of ArborTrek/ZIPStream Fall Creek Falls, said Thursday that about two-thirds of the project is complete for the "soft" opening on Saturday. A grand opening, with all six courses fully functioning, is scheduled for June 27.